Life Manual

It's [fairly] safe to conclude everyone has an interest in what is relevant to our lives - that which is closely connected-applicable-appropriate. Here's what we know about the Word of God: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8). Not too long ago in my doctor's office was a counter display of books titled, "Life Manual." Curiously, I picked up one of the books, opened it to find it was a New Testament!  It's title "Life Manual" could not have been more accurate! Every answer to every question, every solution to every problem, every help for every struggle, everything including the Way of Salvation for man's soul is given in Scripture.  God-breathed and altogether and perfectly relevant at all times in all circumstances - The Bible. Read it daily!

Beyond Words

Have you ever been without words? Perhaps you saw or heard something weird, strange or just simply dumb and the words just wouldn't come. This is a fairly good description of Job Chapters 38-41 when God quizzes Job about The Almighty. Here's a few questions from that divine quiz: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... Where is the way where light dwells ... as for darkness, where is its place? ... Have you entered the storehouses of the snow ... seen the storehouses of the hail? ... "Who has begotten the drops of dew?" If there is ever a reason to stand in speechlessness, I suggest it is in a true realization of God Himself! While we have questions about why God does as He does, we are often in danger of missing [rather] ... who God is. Job's response should be a wake-up call for thinking rightly about God: "Then Job answered the LORD and said, 'I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained. ... I now see I have rashly uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (Job 42:1-3 AMP). Job wanted to know "why" but God wanted Job to know "who." The psalmist says, "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!" (Psalm 33:8 ESV).  Reverent and speechless before The Almighty is not a bad thing. Our God is awesome and magnificent - He is ... beyond words!

Watch and Wait

Are you a morning person ... or not? I must confess, I am not. Most of my life I've identified myself as a night owl; this older-me has left the late nights and early mornings to much younger days! We don't know much about the circumstances surrounding Psalm 5 but David writes, "In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]." (Psalm 5:3 AMP). I suspect many of us need a few conscious and coherent moments - even a jolt of strong joe - before we're ready to speak to or hear from the LORD. This I do identify with! Nonetheless, I must ask - is the LORD a priority, a vital part of your waking-up each day? From David's words it seems David's day begins with a seeking and a listening heart - prepared and watching and waiting for God to speak. How foolishly we set out into the day - unaware of the challenges to come - unprepared spiritually. I suspect few of us would boldly leave our home in the morning without some degree of attention to personal hygiene and grooming yet we pass that closed Bible much like an old friend we intend to call but never seem to do so. To grow in faith and discipleship we must be intentional in our choices: we choose to dedicate time in The Word, it's how we grow to know God more and develop a relationship with His Son, Jesus. No, it doesn't just happen. Tozer said one thing that made David great was that he was "pre-occupied" with God. What is your first conscious thought of the day? Does it include The One Who watched over you as you slept, Who gave you the first breath of the day, The One Who is patiently waiting for you in His Holy Word? Follow David's lead - let God hear your voice first thing - whatever time you rise but before you go ... God is calling His true children to ... watch and wait.

One Who Hears

Perhaps you're one [of us] who talks to themselves. I've been told it's okay to talk to yourself as long as you don't answer yourself. Well, sometimes it's my own voice that tells me to stop ... talking to myself! As he prayed David said, "Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray." (Psalm 5:2 AMP). I love how bold and honest David prays! The importance of the prayer life of a Child of God cannot be understated. E. M. Bounds says, "God shapes the world by prayer" and to do so, it is critical God's Children pray. One thing David makes clear in his prayer is The One to Whom he is praying. We live in a time when prayers are sometimes casually spoken to nameless gods. If you doubt this, pay attention to public prayers; they may sound so thoughtful and inspiring but listen ... listen to see if the Name of Jesus is mentioned ... "it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God" (2 Corinthians 1:20). The spirit referred to may have nothing to do with The Holy Spirit of the Bible. We are warned, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 ESV). Note how clear David is in his prayer - "my King and my God ... to You I pray." Oh, how we need more faithful and diligent pray-ers ... we also need more who pray rightly and to The One Who hears and answers the prayers of the righteous. Prayer to any other god is about as effective as ... talking to oneself. Take care as you pray to the ... One Who hears.

Loyal Love

We often speak positively of the word "repetition." It's repetition by which we learn many things; it's also good when things we depend upon "repeatedly" perform as they should. It is painful, however, when we are repeatedly treated unkindly by someone. That hurt seems to be deep and lasting. David writes about The Lord's unfailing love and mercy: "Return, O LORD, rescue my soul; save me because of Your [unfailing] steadfast love and mercy." (Psalm 6:4 AMP). Honestly, it's hard for us to fully comprehend the word "unfailing" because that's not what we know: although some things last, few (if any) fit the description of absolutely unfailing - electricity, vehicles, air conditioners, well pumps, relationships, etc. Yet, God - Who does not waiver and cannot lie - says He loves and is merciful ... without fail. It is His character; the Hebrew word "mercy" is sometimes described as the "loyal love" of God. It is a love that knows of no other way to be, unable to be any other way. The repeated hurts that bring pain and stire up bad memories stand in stark contrast to the constant, continuous, steadfast, steady, loyal love and mercy God "repeatedly" shows to those who love and revere Him. I wish I could say you and I will never again know unkindness but [sadly] it is part of living in this fallen world. What I am sure of with confident expectation is we have a God of perfectly ... loyal love.